Reynolds said in addition to balance, tai chi helps with range of motion, flexibility and muscle tone and helps to decrease fatigue and stress. She said that while it is a martial art, tai chi is slow paced and not high impact, and can be relaxing and calming.

Reynolds said although she was uncertain at first because it is so slow, she really enjoys doing tai chi. "Once I got into the rhythm, it really is very calming and soothing, and you still feel like you get a workout in after that half hour or 45 minutes," she described.

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Reynolds said though the class is geared toward the older population, tai chi can be for anybody. "It's nice. You can focus, relax and de-stress while you get your workout in," she said.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, the program was developed by Dr. Paul Lam and uses gentle sun style tai chi routines that are safe, easy to learn and appropriate for any fitness level. The program is also joint-friendly because of its use of agile steps and high stances.

"The Arthritis Foundation has done a lot of research on it (tai chi) and found it is helpful," O'Brien said of the first-time class. "It seems like a really great program. We've heard a lot about it."

He said the class will be especially beneficial for the older population because they often have balance issues and because it is not high intensity and can be done sitting or standing. He explained that one small movement may seem simple, but to someone who has balance issues, it is huge.

O'Brien said people with balance issues often don't do anything about it until they've experienced a fall, and therapists hope this program will help people prevent balance disorders and maybe even prevent falls by improving balance.

"We (the hospital) realize as health care is changing, it's very important for us to make sure our community is well," he said. "These are programs we're trying to roll out to promote the wellness of the community so we can prevent people from getting as bad as they would down the road if they didn't have this program."

O'Brien said the initial goal is to offer the program several times a year and have a progression in the classes, advancing to different levels. The first one is a basic course. The classes will be held from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Tuesday. Cost is $30 for the six-week program. The initial class is limited to 10 people to assure proper focus and attention is given. To sign up or for more information, contact Outpatient Therapy at 330-823-8839.

The Arthritis Foundation also offers a "Tai Chi for Arthritis" DVD with step-by-step instructions by Lam, practicing physician and tai chi master for more than 30 years. For more information, call 800-283-7800 or visit www.arthritis.org.